Trash bag holder

ABSTRACT

A holder for trash bags and the like comprising a hoop with an elongated circumferential channel in its rim and a support structure mounting the hoop in an essentially horizontal position. A releasable fastening device, preferably a spring loaded cable, is secured to the hoop for engagement with the channel in the rim of the hoop. A trash bag is secured to the hoop in an upright position by folding its open end down over the rim of the hoop and engaging the cable with the rim and its outer channel to tightly clamp the bag to the hoop. The hoop support structure is arranged so that the trash bag can be removed from the holder laterally with respect to the hoop without being obstructed by the support structure.

United States Patent [72] Inventor Everett L. Koger 9331 Glendon Way, Rosemead, Calif.

1,432,486 10/1922 Morris.....................:::::

Primary Examiner-Chancellor E. Harris A!t0rneyChriStie, Parker & Hale ABSTRACT: A holder for trash bags and the like comprising a hoop with an elongated circumferential channel in its rim and a support structure mounting the hoop in an essentially horizontal position. A releasable fastening device, preferably a spring loaded cable, is secured to the hoop for engagement with the channel in the rim of the hoop, A trash bag is secured to the hoop in an upright position by folding its open end down over the rim of the hoop and engaging the cable with the rim and its outer channel to tightly clamp the bag to the hoop. The hoop support structure is arranged so that the trash bag can be removed from the holder laterally with respect to the hoop I without being obstructed by the support structure.

PATENTEDUET 19 um SHEET 2 OF 2 TRASH BAG HOLDER This invention relates to receptacles, and more particularly, to an improved holder for trash bags and the like.

Trash receptacles have traditionally been constructed in the form of large hollow metal containers. The chief disadvantage of such containers is that they are difiicult to lift when filled with trash. Consequently, lighter weight trash receptacles have been developed using open ended trash-receiving bags constructed of materials such as canvas and supported in an upright position by a variety of support structures. However, the bag-type receptacles heretofore have not been completely satisfactory. For example, in many instances the trash bag cannot be quickly detached from its support structure. Moreover, the bag support structures ordinarily require a workman to remove the bag therefrom by lifting it up through the top of the structure. The effort required to perform this task is obviously difficult, particularly when the trash bag is full.

This invention provides an improved trash bag holder having a structure that enables a trash bag to be quickly detached from the holder and removed for emptying without the necessity of lifting the bag through the top of the holder.

Briefly, the invention includes a hoop with a releasable fastening device secured to the hoop for engagement with the rim of the hoop. Means are provided for supporting the hoop in a substantially horizontal position above the ground so that a trash bag can be secured to the hoop in an upright position by folding the open end of the bag down over the rim of the hoop and clamping the fastening device to the bag and the rim. The hoop support means is arranged so that upon release of the fastening device, the trash bag can be removed from the hoop laterally without being obstructed by the hoop support means.

In the preferred form of the invention, an elongated circumferential channel is formed in the rim of the hoop. The fastening device preferably comprises a spring-biased cable engageable with the rim s outer channel for holding the cable securely in place when a trash bag is secured to the rim. A handle is affixed to the cable for use in releasing the cable from engagement with the channel during removal of the trash bag from the hoop. The cable-biasing means preferably comprises a tension spring connecting each end of the cable to a bracket mounted on the rim of the hoop. In use, the tension springs exert a loading force on the cable to maintain the trash bag tightly clamped to the hoop. Preferably, the rim of the hoop tapers upwardly and outwardly near its top to provide additional means for keeping the cable tightly clamped to the rim of the hoop and for controlling movement of the cable when it is released from engagement with the hoop.

The preferred form of the invention also provides hoop support means in the form of a framework extending between the hoop and the ground configured to provide an opening near its bottom at least as wide as the diameter of the hoop. This enables the trash bag when filled to be removed for emptying without the necessity of lifting the bag upwardly through the hoop. To remove the bag, the cable is detached from the hoop and the bag is pulled through the opening provided by the hoops supporting framework. Preferably, the framework comprises three posts, two of which extend upwardly and away from the third post. The bottoms of the three posts are affixed to a second hoop mounted on the ground, the second hoop preferably having a larger enclosed area than the upper hoop. The tops of the posts are affixed to the upper hoop in a configuration which provides a rigid support for that particular hoop. The bottoms of the three posts are arranged to provide an open space at the bottom of the trash bag holder at least as wide as the diameter of the upper hoop. Thus, the trash bag can be readily removed from the holder through the open space provided without being obstructed by the posts.

Alternatively, the preferred hoop support means comprises a framework for securing the hoop to a desired upright datum such as a wall to provide an open space below the hoop. Preferably, this supporting framework includes at least one bracket coupled to the side of the hoop for fastening the hoop to the wall. The hoop is then rigidly supported from the wall by at least two elongated braces, each extending from the wall to a point on the hoop rim forward of the center of the hoop with respect to the wall. Thus, a trash bag can be detached from the hoop and removed laterally with respect to the hoop without being obstructed by the hoops supporting framework.

These and other aspects of the invention will be more fully understood from the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the apparatus of this invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of the apparatus shown in FIG. II with the trash bag detached therefrom;

FIG. 3 is a side elevation view taken on line 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a side elevation view taken on line 44 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the apparatus of this invention;

FIG. 6 is a side elevation view of the apparatus of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is an alternative embodiment of the apparatus shown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 8 is a side elevation view, partly in section, taken on line 88 ofFIG. 7; and

FIG. 9 is an enlarged side elevation view, partly in section, of the apparatus within the circle 9 of FIG. 3.

Referring to the drawings, a trash bag holder 10 supports an open-ended trash bag 12 in an upright position. Preferably, the bag is constructed of plastic film, such as polyethylene, but the bag can be suitably constructed from other relatively strong, lightweight materials such as canvas, for example.

Trash bag holder I0 preferably includes an upper bag support hoop 14 mounted in a substantially horizontal position above the ground by support means comprising a vertical support post 116 and a pair of diagonal posts 18. The tops of posts 16 and 18 are secured to the inside of upper hoop 14 by rivets 19. A bottom hoop 20 mounts on the ground to fonn the base of the hoop support means, and the bottoms of posts 16 and 18 are secured to the inside of hoop 20 by rivets 21. Preferably, hoops 114 and 20 and their supporting posts 16 and I8 are constructed of a strong, lightweight metal such as aluminum, but these members can be suitably formed from other materials having similar properties, such as plastic.

An elongated circumferential outer channel 22 seen best in FIG. 9 is formed in a rim 23 of upper hoop 14 near its top. A bracket 24 is affixed to rim 23 for securing thereto a fastening device 25 which includes an elongated flexible cable 26. Preferably, cable 26 has a core of braided steel wire and an outer coating of plastic, such as vinyl. A triangular shaped handle 27 is secured to cable 26 at a point preferably equidistant between the ends of the cable.

Bracket 24 defines an elongated upright support base 28 secured to rim 23 of upper hoop I4 by rivets 30. The top of support base 28 flares outwardly away from the rim of upper hoop 14 to a point spaced from outer channel 22. An elongated fastener support 32 is secured to the top of support base 28 in a horizontal position spaced from rim 23 of upper hoop M and congruent with the center of outer channel 22. Each end of the cable 26 is doubled back on itself to form a loop for connecting each end of the cable to a respective coil spring 36. The opposite end coil spring is connected by a respective dogleg 38 to one of the ends of fastener support 32. Each end of fastener support 32 has an eye 39 engaged by the end of a respective dogleg 38.

FIGS. 7 and 8 show alternative embodiments of fastening device 25 and bracket 24. In these views, an elongated, transversely U-shaped bracket 40 is shown welded to rim 23 below its outer channel 22. Bracket 40 encloses a portion of an elliptical ring 42 so that the ring is pivotally secured to the rim of upper hoop 14. An elastic cord 43 is secured at its ends to laterally spaced-apart ends of elliptical ring 42.

The use of trash bag holder may be best understood by referring to FIGS. 1 and 2. In FIG. 2 the supporting structure for trash bag 12 is shown with the trash bag detached therefrom. In this position, fastening device 25 hangs free at the side of trash bag holder from bracket 24. During use, trash bag 12 is disposed within upper hoop 14 by folding its open end down over rim 23 of hoop 14, as seen in H0. 1. The top of the trash bag is then releasably secured to hoop 14 by fastening device 25. In use, the fastening device is applied by pulling with handle 27 to stretch coil springs 36 sufficiently to allow cable 26 to be slipped around the top of trash bag 12 and securely positioned in outer channel 22 of upper hoop 14. The length of fastening device 25 is such that coil springs 36 are placed in tension when cable 26 is in place in outer channel 22. Thus, springs 36 exert a continuous loading force on cable 26 which maintains trash bag 12 tightly clamped to upper hoop 14 during use. Alternatively, elastic cord 43 (FIG. 7) can be stretched to produce the desired clamping action for securing bag 12 to hoop 14.

When trash bag 12 is ready for emptying, the bag is removed from holder 10 using handle 27 to pull on cable 26 with sufficient force to overcome the loading force of coil springs 36. The cable is preferably pulled upwardly as shown in FIG. 3 when disengaging it from the outer channel 22. Preferably, the portion of rim 23 above channel 22 tapers upwardly and outwardly away from the top of the channel to define a slanted outer wall 44. This outer wall provides means for controlling the speed with which cable 26 becomes disengaged from upper hoop 14 when trash bag 12 is detached from the hoop. Thus, the person removing the bag does not have to use his free hand to control removal of the cable. As a result, his free hand can be used to steady the trash bag to prevent its contents from spilling out.

After trash bag 12 is detached from upper hoop 14, it does not require removal through the top of the hoop, as in conventional trash holders. Instead, the configuration of the supporting structure for upper hoop 14, as provided by posts 16 and 18, enables the trash bag 12 to be removed from holder 10 laterally with respect to hoop 14. As seen in FIGS. 1-3, vertical post 16 and diagonal posts 18 are secured to the inside of upper hoop 14 at points approximately equidistant about the circumference of the hoop. This configuration provides rigid support for hoop l4. Diagonal posts 18 extend down and back toward vertical post 16 and are twisted slightly along their length and secured to bottom hoop 20 at points preferably equally spaced from the point at which post 16 secures to the bottom hoop. Preferably, the arrangement for fastening the bottoms of diagonal posts 18 to bottom hoop 20 is such that an opening at least as wide as the diameter of upper hoop 14 is provided at the bottom of trash holder 10. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-3, diagonal posts 18 are secured to the bottom hoop 20 at points defined by the diameter of the bottom hoop. Since diagonal posts 18 are spaced equidistant from vertical post 16, an open space having an area equal to one-half the area enclosed by bottom hoop 20 is provided at the bottom front of trash holder 10. As seen best in FIG. 2, the diameter of bottom hoop 20 is slightly greater than that of upper hoop 14. As a result, the open area provided at the bottom front of trash holder 10 is greater than one-half the area enclosed by upper hoop 14. Thus, a relatively unobstructed opening is provided at the bottom front of trash holder 10 which enables trash bag 12 when filled to be easily removed from holder 10 without the necessity of lifting the bag upwardly through the top of the hoop.

FIGS. 5 and 6 show a trash bag holder 46 which provides alternative means for mounting hoop 14 to support trash bag 12 in an upright position for easy removal of the bag during emptying. In this form of the invention, a pair of angle brackets 48 coupled to rim 23 of hoop l4 secure the hoop to an upright datum such as a wall 50. A pair of elongated braces 52 are secured at their ends to points on wall 50 below angle brackets 48. Braces 52 extend upwardly to connect to rim 23 of hoop 14. Preferably, braces 52 are secured to the rim at points forward of the center of hoop 14 with respect to wall 5b to assure that the hoop is rigidly supported from the wall.

In use, trash bag holder 46 has the above-described advantages of trash bag holder 10. Thus, trash bag 12 can be quickly detached from hoop 14 by releasin sgrin -biased cable .6 from engagement with outer channe 2 T e hoop support means, i.e., angle brackets 48 and braces 52, are arranged such that hoop 14 is rigidly secured in a position providing for the upright support of trash bag 12. The hoop support means is further arranged so that the bag detached from hoop l4 and removed laterally with respect thereto with being obstructed by the hoop support means. As a result, the necessity of lifting trash bag 12 upwardly through the hoop is eliminated.

I claim:

1. An improved holder for a trash bag and the like comprising:

a. an upper hoop;

b. releasable fastening means secured to the upper hoop engageable with the rim of the hoop;

c. a lower hoop resting on the ground below the upper hoop, the lower hoop having a larger enclosed area than the upper hoop;

d. a framework extending between the hoops for supporting the upper hoop in a substantially horizontal position above the ground, the framework including at least three posts, two of which posts extend upwardly and away from the other post to provide an opening at the bottom of the framework at least as wide as the diameter of the upper hoop; and

e. means for securing the upper and lower ends of the posts to the upper and lower hoops, respectively, whereby the trash bag may be secured to the upper hoop by folding the open end of the bag down over the hoop and clamping the fastening means to the bag and the rim of the upper hoop, and whereby the bag when filled may be removed from the holder by releasing the fastening means and drawing the bag laterally through the opening at the bottom of the framework without being obstructed by the posts.

2. Apparatus according to claim I wherein the fastening means comprises a bracket secured to the upper hoop, an elongated continuous spring-biased cable having its ends secured to opposing sides of the bracket, and a handle secured to the cable at a point substantially equidistant from its ends.

3. Apparatus according to claim I wherein said other post is substantially vertical.

4. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the bottoms of the posts are secured to the lower hoop at points which provide an opening at the bottom of the framework as wide as the diameter of the lower hoop.

5. Apparatus according to claim 4 wherein the fastening means comprises a bracket secured to the upper hoop, an elongated continuous spring-biased cable having its ends secured to opposing sides of the bracket, and a handle secured to the cable at a point substantially equidistant from its ends.

6. Apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said other post is substantially vertical.

7. An improved holder for trash bag and the like comprising a hoop; a framework supporting the hoop in a substantially horizontal position above the ground, the framework including at least three posts providing an opening at the bottom of the framework at least as wide as the diameter of the hoop; and fastening means comprising a bracket secured to the upper hoop, an elongated continuous spring-biased cable having its ends secured to opposing sides of the bracket, and a handle secured to the cable at a point substantially equidistant from its ends, whereby the trash bag may be secured to the hoop by folding the open end of the bag down over the hoop and clamping the cable to the bag and the rim of the hoop, and whereby the bag when filled may be removed from the holder by pulling the handle outwardly and upwardly away from the hoop to free the bag from the hoop to permit the bag to be drawn laterally through the opening at the bottom of the framework without being obstructed by the posts. 

1. An improved holder for a trash bag and the like comprising: a. an upper hoop; b. releasable fastening means secured to the upper hoop engageable with the rim of the hoop; c. a lower hoop resting on the ground below the upper hoop, the lower hoop having a larger enclosed area than the upper hoop; d. a framework extending between the hoops for supporting the upper hoop in a substantially horizontal position above the ground, the framework including at least three posts, two of which posts extend upwardly and away from the other post to provide an opening at the bottom of the framework at least as wide as the diameter of the upper hoop; and e. means for securing the upper and lower ends of the posts to the upper and lower hoops, respectively, whereby the trash bag may be secured to the upper hoop by folding the open end of the bag down over the hoop and clamping the fastening means to the bag and the rim of the upper hoop, and whereby the bag when filled may be removed from the holder by releasing the fastening means and drawing the bag laterally through the opening at the bottom of the framework without being obstructed by the posts.
 2. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the fastening means comprises a bracket secured to the upper hoop, an elongated continuous spriNg-biased cable having its ends secured to opposing sides of the bracket, and a handle secured to the cable at a point substantially equidistant from its ends.
 3. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said other post is substantially vertical.
 4. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the bottoms of the posts are secured to the lower hoop at points which provide an opening at the bottom of the framework as wide as the diameter of the lower hoop.
 5. Apparatus according to claim 4 wherein the fastening means comprises a bracket secured to the upper hoop, an elongated continuous spring-biased cable having its ends secured to opposing sides of the bracket, and a handle secured to the cable at a point substantially equidistant from its ends.
 6. Apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said other post is substantially vertical.
 7. An improved holder for trash bag and the like comprising a hoop; a framework supporting the hoop in a substantially horizontal position above the ground, the framework including at least three posts providing an opening at the bottom of the framework at least as wide as the diameter of the hoop; and fastening means comprising a bracket secured to the upper hoop, an elongated continuous spring-biased cable having its ends secured to opposing sides of the bracket, and a handle secured to the cable at a point substantially equidistant from its ends, whereby the trash bag may be secured to the hoop by folding the open end of the bag down over the hoop and clamping the cable to the bag and the rim of the hoop, and whereby the bag when filled may be removed from the holder by pulling the handle outwardly and upwardly away from the hoop to free the bag from the hoop to permit the bag to be drawn laterally through the opening at the bottom of the framework without being obstructed by the posts. 